EPSF 8440, like other curriculum courses in our department, is a foundations course. As such, we approach curriculum from both historical and philosophical traditions. Many curriculum texts will address the philosophical side of curriculum (or education for that matter) with a series of ists or isms. I've always been wary of such neatly packaged ideologies and think that asking students to sift among them or (eee gads) choose from them requires as much thought as selecting a box of cereal from the shelf of a grocery store. Therefore, I've tried to explore the theoretical underpinnings of curriculum through a conceptual matrix. This matrix honors the two critical elements of curriculum: axiology and epistemology. Below you have a questionnaire I'd encourage you to answer. From that questionnaire you may review the curriculum matrix, a Power Point that describes it, and a written description. You are welcomed to respond above in discussion and ask questions. Keep in mind that the matrix is not designed to paint anyone in an ideological corner. Instead, each quadrant (and yes, I know they are not mathematically correct) is part of a continuum). It is supposed to be a bit messy.
The Curriculum Matrix
EPSF 8440, like other curriculum courses in our department, is a foundations course. As such, we approach curriculum from both historical and philosophical traditions. Many curriculum texts will address the philosophical side of curriculum (or education for that matter) with a series of ists or isms. I've always been wary of such neatly packaged ideologies and think that asking students to sift among them or (eee gads) choose from them requires as much thought as selecting a box of cereal from the shelf of a grocery store. Therefore, I've tried to explore the theoretical underpinnings of curriculum through a conceptual matrix. This matrix honors the two critical elements of curriculum: axiology and epistemology. Below you have a questionnaire I'd encourage you to answer. From that questionnaire you may review the curriculum matrix, a Power Point that describes it, and a written description. You are welcomed to respond above in discussion and ask questions. Keep in mind that the matrix is not designed to paint anyone in an ideological corner. Instead, each quadrant (and yes, I know they are not mathematically correct) is part of a continuum). It is supposed to be a bit messy.The questionnaire:
Here is a copy of the Matrix
Here is a copy of the Power Point:
Here is a brief explanation of the Matrix
If you want to discuss the matrix, feel free to do so above.